Gut Reaction: Broncos draft Philip Blake at #108

TJ JohnsonApr 28, 2012 1:55 PM

J.D. Walton is officially on the clock.

The Broncos' pick at #108, Center Philip Blake of Baylor, tells us more about what the Broncos think about J.D. Walton than it does about what they think of Philip Blake. Walton has been slow to develop, and despite the Broncos' stellar running game last year, most Broncos fans recognize it had more to do with the unpredictability of the zone-read option than it did with Walton moving mountains up front.

It's not enough anymore that Walton played well against Ndamukong Suh in college.

It's not enough anymore to say that playing center in the NFL takes patience (Maurkice Pouncey, anyone?).

It's not enough to hope that Peyton Manning turns Walton into Jeff Saturday.

It's just not enough.

Walton needs to go beast mode, and soon. Why? Blake is a natural beast. At almost 6-3 and 315 lbs., Blake is a load. He can squat over 600 lbs. and anchors like an ocean liner. Despite this, he has enough mobility to get to the second level, something we've noticed Walton has had trouble doing in the past.

Here's some tape (note: these are RG3 game films, but watch Blake, #74, on each play):

Pros:

Achors well in pass blocking

Powerful frame and good bulk

Quick to the point of attack, good initial burst and push

Super strength

Good mobility for size

Cons:

Limited in zone blocking schemes

Age a slight concern (Blake is 26)

Needs to do a better job of finishing blocks

Could improve recognition of stunts and blitzes, drifts from time to time

Could improve his punch

Don't think this lets Zane Beadles off the hook, either. Blake is talented and nasty enough in a man-blocking scheme to move over to guard if Walton holds him off. Long term, Blake is a starter in this league.

TJ offers an instant analysis of the Broncos' 30-10 loss to the Seahawks in their second game of the preseason

I'm not being critical of you... Just taking the opportunity to poke some fun at you.

I may not always agree with you but i always love your opinion sometimes more so when it differs from mine.

Posted by jman75 on 2012-04-28 17:14:03

Good pick. Thanks for the read TJ.

Posted by boydy2669 on 2012-04-28 14:59:16

I like this pick. I figured that we would pick a center - but later in the 6th round to develop. This guy looks like he will push for some playing time. He might even push for the RT position and allow Franklin to move inside. Dave Magazu just got another option to play with.

Posted by BlackKnigh on 2012-04-28 14:55:50

I think Blake projects more as a guard than a center. The Broncos needed depth at the interior offensive line position. Blake will be good insurance for Chris Kuper and will also push Zane Beadles and JD Walton. Additionally, he can play tackle in an emergency as he began his college career as a tackle at Baylor.

Posted by RSH, Esq. on 2012-04-28 14:50:53

Jman, I hope I don't come across as too negative. These are meant to be raw, of course, and (hopefully) funny.

I'd say I like these picks thus far:1) Blake2) Hillman

I'm okay with:1) Wolfe2) Jackson

I'm not sold on:1) Oswiler2) Bolden

Posted by TJ Johnson on 2012-04-28 14:38:17

Nah I actually miss the days of trading picks to draft blocking TE's projected to go in the 7th in the 2nd. I miss guys who get caught cheating on one team and then have the audacity to do the very same thing on their next. I miss guys who have to emmulate their mentor to the point of dressing just like them. McGenuis should be everyone's McHero.

Posted by k9style on 2012-04-28 14:31:51

600lbs is some awesome lower body strenght. Is 22 reps on the bench cause for concern? Still, Blake has the raw material that can be coached up. Most of the cons can be fixed with coaching.

Man, Denver hasn't had a center that anchors since Nalan's decline.

Posted by A R on 2012-04-28 14:26:25

It's a lot easier to turn a center into a guard than to turn a guard into a center. If Walton is an upgrade at guard, it's only a very slight one over Beadles.

Posted by A R on 2012-04-28 14:24:24

What the team should do is cut all of McDouchebag's players. Even if there is no one better to replace them. Even if the replacement is actually worse. But anyone and everyone with McDipsh*t's fingerprints on them must go. Just because. Well, McDummy = bad.

Posted by A R on 2012-04-28 14:22:58

Chi. Good to see you again. Figure by now enough Tetards are gone that it's safe to return?

Posted by A R on 2012-04-28 14:20:21

McDouchebag! That's funny, because it sounds like "McDaniels," but it's an epithet. Ha!

Can you believe that McDummie chased away Ben Hamilton? What a McEgo.

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-04-28 14:16:22

Good! Another step closer to cleaning up McDouchebags mess.

Posted by k9style on 2012-04-28 14:12:57

If Blake beats out Walton at center, does Walton have any potential at guard? I'm guessing no, but would like everyone else's take....

Posted by Nick (ncm42) on 2012-04-28 14:10:29

have they found one TJ likes? :)

Posted by jman75 on 2012-04-28 14:09:07

My bet? Walton starts at center this year. Blake might play guard (is Kuper healthy?) or displace Beadles (he played some Guard at Baylor), but I don't think he'll start at center at least until 2013. Blake played RT at Baylor in 09, while Walton was still there. He provieds some nice versatility.